Page 4 • Wednesday , May 26 , 2021 • The Hammonton Gazette
Public , dignitaries welcome Con-Vivir Wellness Hub
CON-VIVIR , from Page 1 ple came from North Jersey . that they are willing to take a ride and support this is great ,” ivette Guillermo-McGahee , the founder and CeO of allies in Caring , told The Gazette . according to their website , Con-Vivir Wellness Hub will “ offer free and affordable in-person and virtual counseling as well as educational programs to foster resilience , promote healing and bring people together in meaningful interactions . Services will be available in english , Spanish , and american Sign Language ( aSL ).”
Benjamin Ott , the president of the Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce , said that the concept was unique .
“ it ’ s something that we don ’ t have . Wellness and health — we ’ ve always been a health-centric community , with blueberries and healthy eating options . this really gives us now a spot to gather that we didn ’ t have before : an open space where people can come and do healthy things , both physically and mentally . everybody focuses on the physical , but this targets more on the mental aspects of health . it ’ s exciting to have — and ivette ’ s a tremendous community leader and spokesperson for the organization . i ’ m super-excited that she ’ s seeing her dreams come to fruition ,” Ott said .
Cassie iacovelli , the executive director for MainStreet Hammonton , concurred , noting that it was “ an exciting day .”
“ it ’ s always great when you have a building that is empty , and somebody comes along and buys it — but to have it turn into a community center that encourages social gatherings , is responding to a much-needed audience of a variety of issues that people are needing to be addressed ? it ’ s absolutely the best possible outcome . it ’ s an organization that wants to partner with many of the efforts that we do here in the downtown , so we couldn ’ t be happier . it ’ s great ,” iacovelli said .
Guillermo-McGahee told The Gazette that it was her hope that “ people will feel welcome to come , and it will be easy for people to ask for help that they need .”
“ i believe that everybody , if they get the nurturing support that they need , has talents and strengths that , sometimes , we don ’ t realize . When somebody extends a hand and helps you discover , and helps you heal , if you have experienced some trauma or difficulties in life , and helps you bring out your strengths and talents , that ’ s our hope . We hope that people will feel comfortable to come here ; that they will know that this is a place that welcomes , that is compassionate , that we don ’ t judge , that we want everybody to succeed , that we want to provide the resources that we need . Sometimes , people don ’ t have information , or they don ’ t have experience or the connections to find a job , or maybe they feel they ’ re different and they don ’ t know if they ’ re understood by other people . We hope that this place is where you will find people like you , that you can relate to ,” Guillermo-McGahee said .
Guillermo-McGahee , who emigrated from Mexico , said that , when one moves from another country , “ you separate from your relatives and your friends — all your network of support .”
“ Many of us find ourselves alone here , without support , and we hope that , for people like me — immigrants — or people who are different , that they will find , here , a place where they can create a new family or a new network for support ... i feel i want to give back . as much as people are giving to this , i just want to make sure that , whatever we are given , we pass it on , and people will benefit from this ,” Guillermo-McGahee said . the celebration included the presentation of a resolution to Con-Vivir Wellness Hub from assemblyman John armato ( D-2 ) and assemblyman Vince Mazzeo ( D-2 ). armato told The Gazette that he thought the concept of the wellness hub is “ fantastic .”
“ i think anything that has to do , in my estimation , with mental health is an asset to any city that it ’ s in — especially these times with COViD and the isolationism that goes along with it . i think this is a very excellent resource ,” armato said .
Before presenting the resolution , Mazzeo told the gathered crowd that , as a business owner , he is often approached by employees with “ real life problems .”
“ People have real problems with their children , with themselves , with money , whatever the reason is . it ’ s very difficult sometimes to navigate the challenges of real life . Having said that , it ’ s good to know there ’ s a place like Con-Vivir , to help people , particularly with mental illness . the biggest problem with mental illness , i think , is reaching out and saying , ‘ i need help .’ When we can do that , and there ’ s a place where people can get help , then i think we become a better community . i think that we all share that — that we ’ re in this life together — and we want to make each other happy and prosperous in any way we can . i ’ m proud to
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Ivette Guillermo-McGahee accepted a resolution from Assemblymen John Armato and Vince Mazzeo . be here ,” Mazzeo said . armato concurred . “ With facilities like this , it is a great opportunity to reach out to those individuals who need our help ,” armato said .
Caren L . fitzpatrick , the Commissioner-at-Large for atlantic County ( D ), was also on hand for the celebration , and expressed her appreciation the hub was opening during Mental Health awareness Month .
“ thank you for doing this . this is an important day for South Jersey , as access to affordable mental health services becomes a reality for so many of our neighbors who experience economic and language barriers to accessing care . this wellness hub will serve as a beacon of hope for those in need , as hope should never be limited by what language you speak , or the size of our paycheck ,” fitzpatrick said . Councilmen thomas Gribbin ,
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